Well I was running my weekly scan of Nintendo's CDN (the server where Nintendo hosts eShop Titles), and the EUR version of Mario Kart 7's title ID was added, sometime between now and last thursday.

You might call me wrong, but if you look at the TMD, it says the title has a manual and DLP Child, just like Mario Kart 7. And the NCCH files on CDN are very close to the size of the NCCH files from the EUR version of the ROM:

IMO NSMB2 was a test run to see how well Nintendo fans took to have a full blown 3DS game offered as a digital purchase as well as retail. Since it went over well I am sure that they will bring other retail titles out for download purchase as well just like MS does with Xbox games. I am sure that having games downloaded to a portable system is a big plus for most people it means they dont have to carry a bunch of tiny game cards all over with them and risk losing them.

It makes sense, because they don't keep games in print forever, and as a downloadable game they can make it available in precisely the quantities that people need rather than wasting money producing extra copies people may never want. If I were Nintendo, I would probably just print one run for each game, and then if people haven't pre-ordered it, there's no guarantee of finding a retail copy down the road. They make more money off the downloads anyway.

It makes sense, because they don't keep games in print forever, and as a downloadable game they can make it available in precisely the quantities that people need rather than wasting money producing extra copies people may never want. If I were Nintendo, I would probably just print one run for each game, and then if people haven't pre-ordered it, there's no guarantee of finding a retail copy down the road. They make more money off the downloads anyway.

However, when physical games go out of print, they become collectibles, and until every single copy breaks (Rare working NES games are still here.), they'll still be available permanently (albeit for higher or lower prices depending on the rarity). And they're shareable legally.

You can't legally share your digital games ATM nor can you trade them. And once digital-only games go out of print, they GONE except for means of piracy.

It makes sense, because they don't keep games in print forever, and as a downloadable game they can make it available in precisely the quantities that people need rather than wasting money producing extra copies people may never want. If I were Nintendo, I would probably just print one run for each game, and then if people haven't pre-ordered it, there's no guarantee of finding a retail copy down the road. They make more money off the downloads anyway.

Yeah, that would make sense if and only if Nintendo was in such a dire state that it could no longer recoup the manufacturing costs when selling a game, which will (hopefully) never happen. Part of the reason why Nintendo's been so profitable recently (despite a slowdown these last couple of years) is because of its strong retail presence, and a deliberate move to limit their store presence would hurt them. For every consumer that purchases Nintendo stuff that is like us (as in they actively follow the video game industry, release dates, and play games other than first-party and AAA-profile 3rd party titles), there are probably 5-10 consumers who are just casual gamers and don't really follow the industry. A strong retail presence is what keeps the casual gamers from completely abandoning traditional consoles in favor of other casual gaming options. If Nintendo moved from their current model of keeping store shelves packed with constantly selling titles like SSBBrawl (which just got a price drop from $50 to $30 after 4 years on the market) and Mario Kart in favor of a model more like Atlus or Aksys (which is what you seem to be suggesting), it would probably damage Nintendo more than it would help.

Because there no need to worry about being backwards compatible with future systems. I only bought MK7 on my 3DS, I would gladly trade in, or give it to my gf for a digital copy. Though then my 3DS slot will be empty and dust could get in...

Convenience, you can always buy bigger SD cards, but having to rebuy an older game that you already owned off of VC every 5 years is going to be a pain, and let's face it, you'll always want to play certain games right away and later in the future on the current system without having to worry about you past sty stem dying, I know one day my 3DS will die, but my brand new 5DS will still be able to play NSMB2 just fine and I won't have to spend $ to rebuy it via VC, and why shouldnt the 3DS card be able to transfer from card to SD, other forms of media can already make an exact copy just fine, and if Nintendos worried about people just copying it and giving to friends to copy, they can make it so it's a one time thing and lock the card from copying after the first time transferring. If that makes since?

Digitaloggery3DS FC: Otaku1WiiU: 013017970991Nintendo of Japanniconico community is full of kawaii!Must finish my backlagg or at least get close this yearWelcome to my emassary of...

I'm not surprised, but Nintendo really needs to pick up the pace if they're going release most retail 3DS games on the eShop. So far the only game I see is NSMB2, and don't forget about third party games.

It makes sense, because they don't keep games in print forever, and as a downloadable game they can make it available in precisely the quantities that people need rather than wasting money producing extra copies people may never want. If I were Nintendo, I would probably just print one run for each game, and then if people haven't pre-ordered it, there's no guarantee of finding a retail copy down the road. They make more money off the downloads anyway.

However, when physical games go out of print, they become collectibles, and until every single copy breaks (Rare working NES games are still here.), they'll still be available permanently (albeit for higher or lower prices depending on the rarity). And they're shareable legally.

You can't legally share your digital games ATM nor can you trade them. And once digital-only games go out of print, they GONE except for means of piracy.

Nintendo cares about any of that why?

Believe it or not, most companies are not in the habit of doing stuff that benefits the consumer with no kick- back (ie revenue) for them.

Believe it or not, most companies are not in the habit of doing stuff that benefits the consumer with no kick- back (ie revenue) for them.

It's just a statement. If we're talking Nintendo benefits here, digital-only retail size games are going to cut a huge chunk out of profits for major franchises like Mario and Zelda, and unless they improve their internet services (which they are doing) the results will be far from satisfactory.
Also, please, there was absolutely no reason to post with such snark.